Chapter 176: The Heart of Home

Words : 1357 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 176: The Heart of Home Zane~ "Three hours had slipped by since Natalie and I had lost ourselves in each other all over again. Her bite still tingled against my shoulder like a brand of wildfire, searing into my soul in the best way imaginable. We’d collapsed into each other afterward, exhausted and breathless, her scent tangled with mine, our hearts still racing from everything we’d shared. I had cleaned us up the best I could—wet towels, soft strokes across her flushed skin, careful not to wake her completely. And then we’d drifted off, our limbs entangled, her head resting on my chest like it belonged there, like it always had. The moon had long since risen when I stirred, the warmth of her body tucked against mine making it nearly impossible to move. But she shifted first, her lashes fluttering open against my skin, and when our eyes met, I saw her wolf staring back at me. "Nice to see you, handsome," she murmured, her voice hoarse, sultry from sleep and sin. I cupped her cheek, brushing a knuckle along her jawline. "Nice to see you, my mate." She gave me a sleepy smile, but then scrunched her nose. "We smell like blood and sex." I chuckled low in my throat, the sound rumbling through my chest. "Then we should fix that." We made our way into the bathroom, the water already running hot as steam curled into the air. She stepped in first, and I followed, watching the droplets coat her skin like dew on a rose petal. My hands found her hips, pulling her back against me as the water sluiced down our bodies. She turned in my arms, her fingers tracing lazy paths across my chest. There wasn’t urgency this time—just warmth and comfort, laughter between kisses, touches that soothed rather than teased. I lathered her hair with care, pressing soft kisses to her temple while she laughed about how I missed a spot. She returned the favor, trailing suds down my back with slow, deliberate hands. When we rinsed off, she leaned her head on my chest again, and for a moment, everything was quiet—just us and the steady hum of the water. After we dried off, I pulled open her closet and grinned. "When did my clothes find their way in here?" I asked, smirking as I scanned the neatly lined-up shirts and pants. Natalie slid up behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist. "When we moved back in and you were off playing prince, I couldn’t sleep without your scent. So I raided your room, stole a few shirts, and tucked them in here. Made it feel like you always slept here. Also—just so you know—my clothes are now cohabiting in your closet. Deal with it, Zane." I laughed. "Duly noted. I’ll be taking a few hostage when I head back to the palace." Her laugh rang out, light and perfect. Music to my ears. I chose a soft charcoal hoodie and black joggers—simple, comfortable. She pulled on a blue sweater and leggings, still damp curls bouncing as she moved. She looked like heaven. My heaven. As I laced my boots, I turned to her. "I want to see Alex." Natalie froze mid-motion, fingers tangled in her hair, then glanced up with a soft smile. "Of course." "I miss him," I admitted. "We talk through the mind link every day, but... it’s not the same." Her expression softened. She stepped closer, brushing a kiss to my lips before pressing her forehead to mine. "You’re a good father, Zane. You love him fiercely. And you don’t have to worry—I’ll watch over him like I always have. He won’t lack anything." My arms closed around her waist, hugging her close. "Thank you, Natalie." We strolled down the hallway toward Alex’s room, laughter spilling out through the cracked door. A high-pitched giggle floated to my ears, and curiosity got the better of me—I peeked inside. It was Rose, Easter’s daughter. So, she was here too. Inside, Alex was on the carpet with Rose, both of them surrounded by action figures and building blocks. Their game was chaotic, colorful, and full of joy. But before either of them saw us, Alex froze. He sniffed the air, his head snapping toward the door. "Daddy!" he screamed, launching himself off the ground. He didn’t even wait for me to kneel—he hurled into my chest with such force that I staggered back a step, my arms wrapping around him tightly. To my surprise, Rose followed, hugging my leg like she was trying to climb it. "Uncle Zane!" she squealed. Uncle Zane? Who thought her that? Behind me, Natalie burst into laughter, the sound so pure and sweet it made my chest ache. I looked over my shoulder at her—standing there, barefoot and beautiful in the doorway, her eyes crinkling with amusement. I scooped both children into my arms—Alex clung to my neck, and Rose giggled as she wrapped her small hands around my hoodie string. "Missed you, Daddy," Alex murmured into my ear, his voice suddenly small. I pressed a kiss to his hair. "I missed you more, little warrior." Rose tilted her head. "Did you miss me too, Uncle Zane?" I blinked, stunned, and then everyone laughed. Even Alex. I pinched her chubby cheek gently, grinning. "Of course I missed you, Rose." She looked entirely pleased with herself and snuggled against my arm. I carried them over to the little couch in Alex’s room and sat down, setting both of them on my lap. Alex leaned back into my chest, sighing contentedly. "You smell like Mummy Natalie," he suddenly blurted. Natalie, who had just stepped into the room, choked on a laugh. I blinked, looked at her, then at him. "Do I?" Alex nodded vigorously. "Yup. You smell like her and... soap." Natalie snorted and turned away quickly, pretending to examine a toy on the shelf. We spent nearly an hour in that room, playing silly games, listening to Alex explain the complicated rules of a make-believe world only he and Rose understood. Natalie joined us on the floor eventually, her legs tucked beneath her as she watched with soft, glowing eyes. Later that evening, the smell of something delicious wafted through the house—Fox had been cooking. My stomach rumbled. We all gathered at the long wooden table, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I sat at the head of it. Home. Fox, ever the loud one, leaned forward and smirked. "You’re smiling, Zane. Don’t tell me you’re not mad anymore. Natalie must have begged real nice." Natalie’s fork clattered. Her cheeks went crimson. "Fox!" The entire table erupted in laughter—Jacob nearly choked on his water, Bubbles was howling, and even Easter was giggling into her cup. "I did not!" Natalie hissed, swatting at Fox across the table. Fox wiggled his eyebrows. "You don’t have to deny it, Princess." I smirked, resting my elbow on the table, chin in my hand as I looked at Natalie. "I don’t remember any begging... but now I kind of wish she had." That earned me a death glare and another round of laughter. Jacob shook his head. "You’re all ridiculous." "But we’re happy," I murmured to no one in particular, taking in the scene. Jacob. Bubbles. Natalie. Fox. Easter. Alex. Rose. The warmth, the noise, the clatter of dishes and the flicker of candlelight—it was chaos, but it was mine. It was family. And I was finally home. Even if Griffin hadn’t come out to join us—probably still humiliated after peeing himself and fainting earlier—I honestly didn’t care. I was glad he stayed in his room. The absence was a gift. Natalie reached for my hand under the table. I laced our fingers together without hesitation, squeezing once. I’d once sworn off love. I’d buried it deep and tried to forget it ever existed. But here, surrounded by laughter and the people who somehow wormed their way into the cracks of my soul, I realized something: Love had never left me. It had just been waiting for me to find it again.

Chapter 176: The Heart of Home

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